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cgissing/windows-computer-use

24JavaScriptAudience · developerComplexity · 3/5Setup · easy

TLDR

A plugin that lets AI agents (like Codex) control Windows desktop apps by seeing the screen, clicking buttons, typing text, and more, no custom script needed per app.

Mindmap

mindmap
  root((repo))
    What It Does
      Controls Windows GUIs
      Screenshots and clicks
      Keyboard and scroll
    Tech Stack
      Node.js
      PowerShell
      MCP server
    Use Cases
      Automate legacy apps
      Fill GUI forms
      Run installers
    Audience
      AI agent builders
      Automation developers
      Vibe coders
    Setup
      Paste prompt to install
      Clone and register
      MCP client config
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Code map

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Things people build with this

USE CASE 1

Automate tasks in legacy Windows apps like WinForms or WPF that have no modern API or web interface.

USE CASE 2

Have an AI agent fill out GUI forms, click through installers, or navigate settings dialogs automatically.

USE CASE 3

Let an AI observe the screen and interact with any Windows program the way a human would, without writing custom scripts.

USE CASE 4

Connect any MCP-compatible AI agent to Windows desktop automation by pointing it at a local server script.

Tech stack

Node.jsPowerShellMCPWindows Accessibility

Getting it running

Difficulty · easy Time to first run · 30min

No npm install needed, no external dependencies beyond Node.js and Windows PowerShell. Three install paths: agent self-install via prompt, clone + 2 commands, or point any MCP client at the server script.

The explanation does not mention a license.

In plain English

Windows Computer Use is a plugin that lets AI agents control Windows desktop applications. It works by exposing a server that understands a standard called MCP, which is a way for AI tools to call external capabilities. Once installed, agents like Codex can read what is on screen, click buttons, type text, scroll, drag, and interact with any Windows GUI program, including older legacy apps that have no modern API. The main use case is when an agent needs to automate a task that can only be done through a graphical interface, such as filling out a form in a settings dialog, running an installer, or working with a WinForms or WPF application. Rather than writing a custom script for each program, the agent can observe the screen and interact with it the way a human would. The plugin exposes a collection of tools through its MCP server. Observation tools let the agent take screenshots, list open windows, read the accessibility tree (which describes every button and text field on screen), and find specific elements. Action tools let it move and click the mouse, double-click, drag, scroll, type text, and send keyboard shortcuts. There are also structured automation actions for focusing elements, invoking controls, and setting values directly through the Windows accessibility layer. Installation can be done three ways. The simplest is to paste a prompt into an agent and let it install the plugin itself. You can also clone the repository and register it as a Codex plugin with two commands. The third option works with any MCP-compatible agent client: you point it at the server script with an absolute file path and it runs as a local process. No npm install step is required since the server has no external dependencies beyond Node.js and Windows PowerShell.

Copy-paste prompts

Prompt 1
I have the windows-computer-use MCP plugin running. Help me write an agent prompt that opens Calculator, types 123 + 456, and reads the result from the screen.
Prompt 2
Using the windows-computer-use MCP tools, write a step-by-step agent script that fills out a form in a legacy WinForms app, including how to find the input fields using the accessibility tree.
Prompt 3
I want to automate an installer on Windows using an AI agent and the windows-computer-use plugin. Walk me through how to observe each dialog and click the right buttons to complete installation.
Prompt 4
How do I configure a MCP-compatible AI client to connect to the windows-computer-use server using an absolute file path? Show me the config JSON I need to add.
Prompt 5
Using windows-computer-use, write an agent task that takes a screenshot, identifies all open windows, and clicks on a specific button found via the accessibility tree.
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